Anthony Albanese met with Pope Leo XIV following an inauguration mass at the Vatican. During their meeting, they discussed Albanese’s late mother, who had a significant influence on raising him in the Catholic faith. Additionally, Albanese took the opportunity to engage with other global leaders from countries such as Canada, Ukraine, and the European Union.

After the inauguration mass at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Prime Minister Albanese spoke with Pope Leo XIV about his mother. This event was part of a gathering that included various world leaders at Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration Mass held at St Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Source: AAP / Flavio Brancaleone

“I spoke to him about my mother who would be, I’m sure, looking down from heaven with the biggest smile she’s ever had,” the prime minister told reporters at the Vatican on Sunday.

The conversation took place after a number of world leaders were taken into the basilica to greet the pope after the mass.

There are discussions around strengthening security ties between the European Union and Australia, akin to the EU’s agreements with countries like Japan and South Korea. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is said to have broached this topic with Albanese.